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The PCC women’s basketball team has had a winning season so far despite unexpected loses, troubling times and the growing pains of a promising team.”We focus on positive things,” said Head Coach Joe Peron. “Every day is a good day.”

Some of the fans of the Lancers were distraught by a loss against Cerritos in a 79-70 upset.

“I thought we could have played a lot better, but that doesn’t take away from them being a good team,” said Leia Hurst, freshman guard. “I wasn’t personally brought down by the loss.”

After moving on from Cerritos, the Lancers took out their frustrations on Long Beach in a dominating victory, 83-41.

Sophomore point guard Lynette Jacobs led the Lancers in the blowout win against the Vikings with 22 points.

Ultimately the women’s basketball team looks likely to make it to the state championships. In the past two years the Lancers have made trips to the state championships but have not grabbed the title yet.

Last year the Lancers advanced to the state semifinals, but fell to Sierra 71-63.

Along with the challenges that a season brings, the Lancers have experienced tragedies both as a whole and as individuals.

The toughest tragedy was the loss of sophomore Reia Shapiro, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident in October 2007. Since her death, the Lancers have retired her number and jersey.

“We haven’t overcome it yet, we are still dealing with it,” said Peron.

The women’s basketball program also made commemorative buttons and signs of Shapiro. Peron said that the players wear them around campus and that the coaches always wear them during the games.

Along with the Shapiro loss, sophomore guard Anna Magganas lost her father during the season, but still has thrived and contributed to Lancer victories.

“Winning games is fun,” said Peron, “but how we can help them is more important than basketball.”

“From this I may be able to help somebody down the line,” said Peron.

The Lancers take on East L.A. at 5:30 p.m. Friday at Hutto-Patterson Gym.

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